Snowmobile ski assembly

ABSTRACT

A snowmobile ski assembly has a ski defining a slot, a ski runner disposed in the slot and being translatable in the slot between a first position and a second position, and a runner adjustment assembly connected to the ski runner. The runner adjustment assembly selectively translates the ski runner between the first and second positions. A snowmobile having the snowmobile ski assembly and a ski runner are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/986,593, filed Apr. 30, 2014, the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to snowmobile ski assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Snowmobiles skis are typically provided with keels extending below toaid in steering of the snowmobile. Steering effectiveness andresponsiveness of the steering assembly tend to be greater for deeperkeels. Deeper keels are therefore desired for aggressive riding of thesnowmobile or when the riding surface is covered with soft-packed snowso the keel can extend down through the soft-packed snow into theharder-packed snow. However, deeper keels also increase the load on thesteering assembly, and on the driver controlling the handlebar of thesteering assembly when riding on hard-packed snow or ice. In situationssuch as on longer rides, or where less aggressive riding is desired, itmay be desirable to have skis with keels of a reduced depth. It ishowever inconvenient to replace the snowmobile skis according to changesin load requirements and riding conditions, especially since the changesmay occur while riding.

To help prevent wear of the keels of the skis and to assist in steeringon hard-packed snow or ice, metallic ski runners are usually providedagainst the bottom of the keels. One solution that has been proposed toaddress the problem of having to replace the skis to have different keelheights depending on the riding conditions consists in providing asystem for adjusting the distance by which the ski runners extend fromthe bottom of the ski.

Some prior art ski assemblies having adjustable ski runners have the skirunner being pivotally connected at a front of the ski runner and adevice to move the rear end of the ski runner in or out of the ski. Aswould be understood, as a result of the adjustment, the angle betweenthe ski runner and the bottom of the ski varies, which, in someconditions, may be undesirable.

Other prior art ski assemblies having adjustable ski runners, such asthe one described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,487, issued Apr. 10, 1956, havedevices at the front and rear of the ski runner to move the ski runnerin and out of the ski. However, the multiple devices make it difficultto maintain the orientation of the ski runner relative to the ski duringadjustment. Also, the multiple devices make the adjustment complex andlengthy, especially if one desires to have the same adjustment on bothskis of the snowmobile. Finally, systems like those described in U.S.Pat. No. 2,741,487 require the use of tools to make the adjustment ofthe ski runner, which can be inconvenient if one desires to make theadjustment at some point during a snowmobile ride in cold weather.

Therefore, there is a desire for a ski assembly for a snowmobile thatcan be adjusted for operation of the snowmobile in different ridingconditions.

SUMMARY

One object of the present technology is to ameliorate at least some ofthe inconveniences of the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present technology, there is provided asnowmobile ski assembly having a ski runner that can be adjusted toprotrude more or less from a bottom of the ski of the ski assembly. Bychanging the amount by which the ski runner protrudes from the ski, theski assembly can be adapted to different riding conditions.

According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provideda snowmobile ski assembly having a ski defining a slot, a ski runnerdisposed in the slot, the ski runner being translatable in the slotrelative to the ski, the ski runner being translatable between a firstposition and a second position, a bottom of the ski runner being closerto a bottom of the ski in the first position than in the secondposition, and a runner adjustment assembly connected to the ski runner.The runner adjustment assembly selectively translates the ski runnerbetween the first and second positions.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski runner isheld in place relative to the ski by the runner adjustment assembly.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski runnerremains rotationally fixed relative to the ski as the ski runnertranslates between the first and second position.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski pivots abouta laterally extending ski pivot axis. The runner adjustment assembly isconnected about the ski pivot axis. The ski is pivotable about the skipivot axis relative to the runner adjustment assembly.

In some implementations of the present technology, a ski leg isconnected about the ski pivot axis. The ski is pivotable about the skipivot axis relative to the ski leg.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly is disposed closer to a front of the ski than the ski leg.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski runnertranslates along a translation axis between the first and secondpositions. The ski leg is pivotable about a ski leg pivot axis forsteering the snowmobile ski assembly. The ski leg pivot axis is angledrelative to the translation axis when a snowmobile provided with thesnowmobile ski assembly is disposed on flat, level ground.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly has a connector connected to the ski runner and defining alaterally extending runner connection axis. The runner connection axisis disposed vertically below the ski pivot axis.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski runnertranslates along a translation axis between the first and secondpositions. The runner adjustment assembly moves the runner connectionaxis along an adjustment axis as the runner adjustment assemblytranslates the ski runner between the first and second positions. Theadjustment axis is angled relative to the translation axis when asnowmobile provided with the snowmobile ski assembly is disposed onflat, level ground.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski runnertranslates along a translation axis between the first and secondpositions. The translation axis is vertical when a snowmobile providedwith the snowmobile ski assembly is disposed on flat, level ground.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski runnerdefines an arcuate slot. The runner adjustment assembly has a connectorextending through the slot. The connector is movable inside the slot asthe ski pivots about the ski pivot axis.

In some implementations of the present technology, a ski leg ispivotally connected to the ski about a laterally extending ski pivotaxis. The ski is pivotable about the ski pivot axis relative to the skileg. The runner adjustment assembly is connected to the ski leg.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski has a frontwall at a front of the slot and a rear wall at a rear of the slot. Theski runner has a front wall abutting the front wall of the ski and arear wall abutting the rear wall of the ski. The ski runner translatesalong a translation axis between the first and second positions. Thefront and rear walls of the ski, and the front and rear walls of the skirunner are parallel to the translation axis.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly has: an adjustment mechanism connected to the ski runner at afirst connection, and a housing connected to the ski leg at a secondconnection, the housing being connected to the adjustment mechanism at athird connection, and the housing receiving the adjustment mechanism atleast in part therein. The second connection is disposed verticallyabove the first connection and vertically below the third connection.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly has: a housing, a first part disposed at least in part in thehousing, the first part being rotatable relative to the housing about arotation axis, the first part being fixed along the rotation axis; and asecond part disposed at least in part in the housing, the second partengaging the first part, the second part being rotationally fixedrelative to the housing, the second part being movable along therotation axis, the second part being connected to the ski runner. One ofthe first and second parts has an external thread. An other one of thefirst and second parts has an internal thread engaging the externalthread of the one of the first and second parts. Rotation of the firstpart about the rotation axis causes the second part to move along therotation axis, thereby causing the ski runner to translate between thefirst and second positions.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly has: a pair of arms connected to the second part, the skirunner being received between the arms, and a pin passing through thearms and the ski runner.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly has a knob connected to the first part for turning the firstpart about the rotation axis.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly has a position indicator disposed externally of the housing,the position indicator being connected to the second part. The positionindicator is movable with the second part.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly is connected to the ski runner at a single location.

In some implementations of the present technology, translation of theski runner occurs as a result of an actuation of a single component ofthe runner adjustment assembly.

In some implementations of the present technology, the single componentis a knob and translation of the ski runner occurs as a result of aturning of the knob.

In some implementations of the present technology, the slot extendsthrough the ski.

In some implementations of the present technology, the runner adjustmentassembly has a pin connecting the runner adjustment assembly to the skirunner. The pin is disposed in the slot defined by the ski.

In some implementations of the present technology, a ski leg pivotallyis connected to the ski about a laterally extending ski pivot axis. Theski is pivotable about the ski pivot axis relative to the ski leg. Therunner adjustment assembly extends at least partially through the skileg.

According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provideda snowmobile having a frame having a tunnel, a motor supported by theframe, a drive track operatively connected to the motor and beingdisposed at least in part under the tunnel, a handlebar supported by theframe, and a pair of snowmobile ski assemblies of any one of the aboveimplementations operatively connected to the handlebar.

According to yet another aspect of the present technology, there isprovided a snowmobile ski assembly having a ski leg, a ski pivotallyconnected to the ski leg about a laterally extending pivot axis, arunner adjustment assembly connected to the ski leg, and a ski runnerconnected to the runner adjustment assembly. The runner adjustmentassembly selectively translates the ski runner between first and secondpositions relative to the ski. A bottom of the ski runner is closer to abottom of the ski in the first position than in the second position.

In some implementations of the present technology, the ski runner isconnected to the ski leg via the runner adjustment assembly such that,when a snowmobile provided with the snowmobile ski assembly is disposedon flat, level ground with the bottom of the ski being spaced from theground, a weight of the snowmobile results in a force passing throughthe ski leg, the runner adjustment assembly and the ski runner to theground without passing through the ski.

Implementations of the present technology each have at least one of theabove-mentioned aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. Itshould be understood that some aspects of the present technology thathave resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object maynot satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects notspecifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages ofimplementations of the present technology will become apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as otheraspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of a snowmobile;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from a front, right side of a leftski assembly of the snowmobile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from a front, right side of a ski ofthe ski assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken from a rear, right side of the ski ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of a ski runner of the skiassembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the ski runner of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken from a front, right side of the skirunner of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a right side elevation view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2 withthe ski runner in a raised position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2 takenthrough a longitudinal centerline of the ski assembly with the skirunner in the raised position of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a right side elevation view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2with the ski runner in a lowered position;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2 takenthrough the longitudinal centerline of the ski assembly with the skirunner in the lowered position of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a right side elevation view of the ski assembly of FIG. 2with a front of the ski pivoted upward;

FIG. 13 is a right side elevation view of the ski assembly positioned asin FIG. 12 with the ski removed;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of a runner adjustment assembly of theski assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the runner adjustment assembly ofFIG. 14 taken through line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the runner adjustment assembly of FIG.14;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view taken from a rear, left side of analternative implementation of a left ski assembly of the snowmobile ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a left side elevation view of the ski assembly of FIG. 17with a portion shown in cross-section;

FIG. 19 is a right side elevation view of another alternativeimplementation of a left ski assembly of the snowmobile of FIG. 1 with aportion shown in cross-section;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view taken from a front, right side of analternative implementation of a ski runner;

FIG. 21 is a right side elevation view of another alternativeimplementation of a left ski assembly of the snowmobile of FIG. 1 with aportion shown in cross-section;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of another alternative implementation of aski leg, a runner adjustment assembly and a ski runner of the snowmobileof FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the ski leg, the runner adjustmentassembly and the ski runner of FIG. 22 taken along line 23-23 of FIG.22; and

FIG. 24 is a left side elevation view of the ski leg, the runneradjustment assembly and the ski runner of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a snowmobile 10 will be described. Although asnowmobile 10 is presented herein, it is contemplated that aspects ofthe present technology could be applied to other types of vehicleshaving skis for operation on snow.

The snowmobile 10 has a front end 12 and a rear end 14, which aredefined consistently with the forward travel direction of the snowmobile10. The snowmobile 10 includes a frame 16. The frame 16 includes atunnel 18, a motor cradle portion 20 and a front suspension assemblyportion 22. A motor 24, which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, issupported by the motor cradle portion 20. In the present implementation,the motor 24 is a four-stroke, two-cylinder, internal combustion engine.However, it is contemplated that other types of motors could be usedsuch as, but not limited to, an electric motor or a two-stroke internalcombustion engine.

An endless drive track 26 is disposed under the tunnel 18. The endlessdrive track 26 is operatively connected to the engine 24 through acontinuously variable transmission (CVT, not shown). The endless drivetrack 26 is suspended for movement relative to the frame 16, by a rearsuspension assembly 28. The rear suspension assembly 28 includes a pairof spaced apart slide rails 30, rear suspension arms 32, 34 and shockabsorbers 36, 38. The slide rails 30 engage the inner side of theendless drive track 26. The rear suspension arms 32, 34 and the shockabsorbers 36, 38 pivotally connect the tunnel 18 to the slide rails 30.The endless drive track 26 is driven to run about the rear suspensionassembly 28 for propulsion of the snowmobile 10. A plurality of rollers40 define the path over which the endless drive track 26 travels.

A fuel tank 42 is supported on top of the tunnel 18. A seat 44 isdisposed on the fuel tank 42 and is adapted to support a rider. Twofootrests 46 (only one of which is shown) are positioned on oppositesides of the tunnel 18 below the seat 44 to support the rider's feet.The footrests 46 are integrally formed with the tunnel 18.

Left and right ski assemblies 100 are positioned at a front of thesnowmobile 10 (only the left one being shown in FIG. 1). Each skiassembly 100 includes a ski 102, a corresponding ski leg 104 and othercomponents that will be described in greater detail below. Each skiassembly 100 is attached to the front suspension assembly portion 22 ofthe frame 16 via a front suspension assembly 48. Each front suspensionassembly 48 includes an upper A-arm 50, a lower A-arm 52 and a shockabsorber 54. Each ski leg 104 is pivotally connected to itscorresponding upper and lower A-arms 50, 52 and the corresponding shockabsorber 54 is connected between the lower A-arm 52 and the frontsuspension assembly portion 22 of the frame 16. It is contemplated thatother types of front suspension assemblies could be used. It iscontemplated that the snowmobile 10 could have only one ski assembly100.

A steering assembly including a steering column 56 and handlebar 58 issupported by the frame 16. The steering column 56 is attached at itsupper end to the handlebar 58, which is positioned forward of the seat44. The steering column 56 is operatively connected to the ski legs 104by steering rods 60 in order to steer the skis 102, and thereby thesnowmobile 10, when the handlebar 58 is turned.

Fairings 62 enclose the engine 24 and the CVT, thereby providing anexternal shell that protects the engine 24 and CVT. The fairings 62include a hood and one or more side panels that can be opened to allowaccess to the engine 24 and the CVT when this is required, forinspection or maintenance of the engine 24 and/or the CVT for example. Awindshield 64 is connected to the fairings 62 forward of the handlebar58. It is contemplated that the windshield 64 could be attached directlyto the handlebar 58.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 16, the left ski assembly 100 of thesnowmobile 10 will be described. The left ski assembly 100 includes theleft ski 102, the left ski leg 104, a left ski runner 106 and a leftrunner adjustment assembly 108. In the right ski assembly 100, the rightski 102, the right ski runner 106 and the right runner adjustmentassembly 108 are identical to those of the left ski assembly 100 and theright ski leg 104 is a mirror image of the left ski leg 104.Accordingly, for simplicity, only the left ski assembly will bedescribed in detail herein. It is contemplated that both ski legs 104could be identical, or that the ski legs 104 could have features thatdiffer from each other. It is contemplated that one or more of the rightski 102, the right ski runner 106 and the right runner adjustmentassembly 108 could be a mirror image of those of the left ski assembly100 or could have one or more features that differ from those of theleft ski assembly 100. It is contemplated that in some implementation ofthe ski assembly 100, such as in a replacement ski assembly forreplacing an existing ski of a snowmobile 10, the ski leg 104 could beomitted as a suitable ski leg 104 may already be provided on thesnowmobile 10.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9, the ski 102 is pivotally connectedto a bottom of the ski leg 104 by a bolt 110, or another fastener suchas a rivet for example. The bolt 110 defines a laterally extending skipivot axis 112 about which the ski 102 pivots relative to the ski leg104. The runner adjustment assembly 108 is connected to the bolt 110about the ski pivot axis 112 and to the ski leg 104. As such, the ski102 pivots about the ski pivot axis 112 relative to the runneradjustment assembly 108. As can be seen, the runner adjustment assembly108 is disposed in front of the ski leg 104 and is therefore disposedcloser to a front of the ski 102 than the ski leg 104. The ski runner106 is inserted in a slot 114 defined in the ski 102. The slot 114stabilizes the ski runner 106 laterally and prevents rotation of the skirunner 106 relative to the ski 102. The runner adjustment assembly 108is connected to the ski runner 106. The runner adjustment assembly 108is used to translate the ski runner 106 inside the slot 114 to change anamount by which the ski runner 106 extends below the ski 102, as will bedescribed in greater detail below. By changing the amount by which theski runner 106 extends below the ski 102, the ski assembly 100 can beadjusted for different riding conditions.

As can be seen, the only vertical load-bearing connection between theski runner 106 and the ski leg 104 is provided via the runner adjustmentassembly 108 as the ski runner 106 is not connected directly to the ski102. As such, the ski 102 only bears a vertical load when its bottomsurface is in contact with a surface on which the snowmobile 10 rides.Vertical forces applied upward to the ski runner 106 are transferred tothe runner adjustment assembly 108 and not to the ski 102. As can beseen in FIG. 8, when the snowmobile 10 is disposed on flat, level groundG, such as when riding on an icy level surface, the ski assembly 100 issupported on the ground G by the ski runner 106 and the bottom of theski 102 is spaced from the ground G. Under these conditions, the weightof the snowmobile 10 results in a force passing through the ski leg 104,the runner adjustment assembly 108 and the ski runner 106 to the groundG without passing through the ski 102.

With reference to FIG. 9, the ski leg 104 has an upper front tab 116, alower front tab 118, and a rear tab 120. A ball joint stud (not shown)is inserted through and connected to the upper front tab 116 by a nut122 (shown in dotted lines) to connect the ski leg 104 to a ball joint124 (shown in dotted lines) connected to the end of the upper A-arm 50.A ball joint stud (not shown) is inserted through and connected to thelower front tab 118 by a nut 126 (shown in dotted lines) to connect theski leg 104 to a ball joint 128 (shown in dotted lines) connected to theend of the lower A-arm 52. A ball joint stud (not shown) is insertedthrough and connected to the rear tab 120 by a nut 130 (shown in dottedlines) to connect the ski leg 104 to a ball joint 132 (shown in dottedlines) connected to the end of the steering rod 60. When the driver ofthe snowmobile 10 turns the handlebar 58, the steering rod 60 pushes orpulls, as the case may be, on the rear tab 120. As a result, the ski leg104 pivots about a ski leg pivot axis 134 passing through the centers ofthe ball joints 124, 128.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, the ski 102 includes a ski body 140,a keel 142 (FIG. 8) disposed on the bottom of the ski body 140, and ahandle 144 connected to the upturned front portion of the ski body 140.The ski body 140 and the keel 142 are made of ultra-high molecularweight (UHMW) polyethylene. It is contemplated that the ski body 140 andthe keel 142 could be made of other suitable materials.

As mentioned above, the front portion of the ski body 140 curvesupwards. The middle and rear portions of the ski body 140, as seen froma side of the ski body 140, are generally flat except for a portionadjacent to the rear end that is angled upwards. As seen from above, thefront and rear of the ski body 140 are tapered and the sides of themiddle portion are parallel. It is contemplated that the ski body 140could have a general shape other than as shown in the illustratedimplementation. For example, the ski body 140 could have a sidecut or aflat rear end.

The ski body 140 has left and right longitudinally extending walls 146extending upwards from an upper surface of the ski body 140. The walls146 are laterally inwards of the lateral sides of the ski body 140. Itis contemplated that the walls 146 could be disposed along the lateralsides of the ski body 140, and that they could extend more or less inthe longitudinal direction than as shown in the illustratedimplementation. The handle 144 is connected between the walls 146.Apertures 148 are defined in the walls 146 to receive the bolt 110 usedto fasten the ski 102 to the ski leg 104. As can be seen, the portionsof the walls 146 surrounding the apertures 148 are thicker than otherportions of the walls 146 in order to reinforce these portions of thewalls 146. Ribs 150, extending laterally outwards from the walls 146,provide structural reinforcement to the walls 146. It is contemplatedthat ribs extending laterally inwards from the walls 146 could beprovided. It is also contemplated that the ribs 150 could be omitted.

The ski body 140 has a wall 152 extending laterally between the walls146. The ski body 140 also has four walls 154 extending angularly inwardfrom the walls 146 to a laterally extending wall 156. Two walls 158(FIG. 4) extend longitudinally rearward from the wall 156. The two walls158 are shorter than the wall 156. The function of the walls 158 will bedescribed below.

The longitudinal slot 114 is defined by and extends through the ski body140 and the keel 142. The slot 114 extends longitudinally between thewalls 146 and is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the ski102. It is contemplated that the slot 114 could not be laterallycentered in the ski 102. It is also contemplated that the slot 114 couldbe defined in the keel 142 and the ski body 140 but only open at abottom of the keel 142 and not extend through the keel 142 and the skibody 140, such as in the ski assembly 700 described in greater detailbelow. In such an implementation, an aperture is provided to allow therunner adjustment assembly 108 to be connected to the ski runner 106.The longitudinal central portion 160 of the slot 114 is wider than theportions of the slot 114 adjacent to it in order to accommodate aconnection between the ski runner 106 and the runner adjustment assembly108. The rear end 162 of the slot 114 is defined in the wall 152 therebydefining a rear wall 164. The front end 166 of the slot 114 is definedin the wall 156 thereby defining a front wall 168. As can be seen inFIG. 9, the rear and front walls 164, 168 are parallel to each other. Inthe present implementation, the walls 164, 168 are flat. It iscontemplated that the walls 164, 168 could not be flat, but still couldprovide parallel surfaces along which the ski runner 106 can translate.For example, the walls 164, 168 could define a series of bumps havingthe same dimensions.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 to 7, the ski runner 106 will be described inmore detail. The ski runner 106 has a ski runner body 200 cut, bystamping for example, from a metal plate. As a result, the ski runnerbody 200 is flat and has a uniform width W (FIG. 6). It should beunderstood that the surface of the ski runner body 200 could be engravedor embossed, to write the manufacturer's name for example, in which casethe surface would nonetheless be considered as having a generallyuniform width W. It is contemplated that the ski runner body 200 couldbe made from other materials and by other manufacturing techniques. Forexample, the ski runner body 200 could be machined, laser cut or cast orby a combination of such techniques.

The ski runner body 200 has a rear flat wall 202 and a front flat wall204. The walls 202, 204 are parallel to each other. As can be seen inFIG. 9, when the ski runner 106 is inserted in the slot 114, the walls202, 204 are parallel to the walls 164, 168 of the ski 102 and abut thewalls 164, 168 respectively. When the ski runner 106 is translated inthe slot 114, the wall 202 of the ski runner body 200 translates alongthe wall 164 and the wall 204 of the ski runner body 200 translatesalong the wall 168.

The ski runner body 200 has a lower edge referred to herein as theground engaging edge 206. The ground engaging edge 206 is straight andperpendicular to the walls 202, 204. It is contemplated that the groundengaging edge could not be straight. For example, the ground engagingedge 206 could be convex. It is also contemplated that the groundengaging edge 206 could not be perpendicular to the walls 202, 204. Theground engaging edge 206 forms a channel inside which are receivedwearbars 208. The wearbars 208 are brazed to the ski runner body 200.The wearbars 208, as their name suggest, are intended to make contactwith the ground and wear instead of the ski runner body 200. Thewearbars 208 are sometimes referred to as carbides in reference to thematerial from which they are usually made. It is contemplated that thewearbars 208 could be connected to the ski runner body 200 by othermeans. It is also contemplated that the wearbars 208 could be omitted.As would be understood, when the ski assembly 100 operates on a hardsurface such as asphalt when the snowmobile 10 has to cross a pavedroad, because of the wearbars 208, the ground engaging edge 206 does notactually engage the ground, but it is nonetheless referred to as aground engaging edge for purposes of the present application.

A front angled edge 210 connects the front end of the ground engagingedge 206 to the bottom of the front wall 204. The front angled edge 210also forms a channel inside which wearbars 208 are brazed. A rear anglededge 212 connects the rear end of the ground engaging edge 206 to thefront end of a horizontal edge 214, and the rear end of the horizontaledge 214 is connected to the bottom of the rear wall 202. As best seenin FIG. 5, the top side of the ski runner body 200 is recessed, whichmakes the ski runner body 200 generally U-shaped.

The ski runner body 200 has two apertures 216 defined therein. These areused to hold the ski runner body 200 in place during the manufacturingprocess. It is contemplated that the apertures 216 could be omitted.

The ski runner body 200 defines an arcuate slot 218 in a central portionthereof. The arcuate slot 218 is closer to the rear wall 202 than to thefront wall 204. The arcuate slot 218 has a center of curvature 220. Aradius of curvature R of the arcuate slot 218 corresponds to a distancebetween the pivot axis 112 of the ski 102 and the center of the arcuateslot 218 at one of the positions of the ski runner 106 in the slot 114.The arc length of the arcuate slot 218 is selected based on a desiredamount of rotation of the ski 102 about the pivot axis 112. In thepresent implementation, the arc length of the arcuate slot 218 isselected to provide 20 degrees of rotation of the ski 102 about thepivot axis 112 in one direction and 40 degrees in the other direction.It is contemplated that the arc length of the arcuate slot 218 could belonger or shorter. As best seen in FIG. 5, the height H1 of the rearwall 202 and the height H2 of the front wall 204 are greater than aheight H3 of the ski runner body 200 measured between the groundengaging edge 206 and the top side of the ski runner body 200 at alllocations aligned with the arcuate slot 218 (i.e. between the lines Aand B). As can also be seen in FIG. 5, the vertical distance between thetop of the rear wall 202 and the ground engaging edge 206 and thevertical distance between the top of the front wall 204 and the groundengaging edge 206 are greater than the vertical distance between thehighest point of the arcuate slot 218 and the ground engaging edge 206.The vertical distance between the bottom of the rear wall 202 and theground engaging edge 206 is smaller than the vertical distance betweenthe lowest point of the arcuate slot 218 and the ground engaging edge206.

The ski runner 106 has a pin 222 inserted in the ski runner body 200 infront of and near to the rear aperture 216. As can be seen in FIG. 6,the pin 222 extends from both lateral sides of the ski runner body 200.It is contemplated that the pin 222 could only extend from one side ofthe ski runner body 200. Since the front and rear portions of the skirunner body 200 is not symmetric to each other, the pin 222 is providedin order to prevent the ski runner 106 from being inserted backwards inthe slot 114 of the ski 102. Should the ski runner 106 be insertedbackwards in the slot 114 (i.e. with the rear wall 202 at the front andthe front wall 204 at the rear), when the ski runner 106 is lowered inthe slot 114, the pin 222 makes contact with the walls 158 (FIG. 4) ofthe ski body 140 discussed above, thereby preventing the ski runner 106from being sufficiently lowered in the slot 114 for proper installation.It is contemplated that the pin 222 could be provided on a front portionof the ski runner body 200, in which case the walls 158, or similarfeatures, would have to be moved on the ski body 140 so as to abut thepin 222 should the ski runner 106 be inserted backwards in the slot 114.

Turning now to FIGS. 14 to 16, the runner adjustment assembly 108 willbe described in more detail. The runner adjustment assembly 108 includesa housing 300 inside which an adjustment mechanism 302 is housed inpart. As will be explained in greater detail below, actuation of theadjustment mechanism 302 causes the ski runner 106 to be moved up ordown inside the slot 114.

The housing 300 has a pair of spaced apart tabs 304. The tabs 304 defineapertures 306 inside which bushings 308 are inserted. It is contemplatedthat the bushings 308 could be omitted. The bolt 110 is fastened to anaxle 111 received in the bushings 308 to connect the housing 300 to theski leg 104. The ski leg 104 is received between the tabs 304. Thehousing 300 also has a tab 310 defining a frustoconical aperture 312. Ascan be seen in FIG. 9, a rubber grommet 314 is disposed in the aperture312 of the tab 310. The nut 126 used to connect the ski leg 104 to theball joint 128 connected to the end of the lower A-arm 52 is received inthe grommet 314. As a result, the runner adjustment assembly 108 isprevented from pivoting about the pivot axis 112 relative to the ski leg104. The housing 300 also defines a slot 316 (FIG. 15) in a frontthereof, the function of which will be described below.

The adjustment mechanism 302 has two main parts: a shaft 318 havingexternal threads and a shaft 320 having internal threads. The threadedportion of the shaft 318 is received in the threaded portion of theshaft 320. As the shaft 318 rotates, the shaft 320 slides in and out ofthe housing 300. It is contemplated that the shaft 318 could have theinternal thread and that the shaft 320 could have the external thread.Other types of adjustment mechanisms are contemplated. For example, theshafts 318, 320 could be replaced by a rack and pinion assembly.

The lower portion of the shaft 318 is received in the housing 300 andthe top portion of the shaft 318 protrudes from the top of the housing300. The shaft 318 is received in a ball bearing 322 that is press-fitin a top of the housing 300. As such, the shaft 318 can rotate about arotation axis 324. However, the shaft 318 does not slide along therotation axis 324. The top of the ball bearing 322 abuts an inner flange326 defined by the housing 300. The bottom of the ball bearing 322 abutsthe top of a sleeve 328 inserted in the housing 300. The bottom of thesleeve 328 abuts a C-clip 330 clipped in the housing 300. As such, theC-clip 330 and the flange 326 prevent the ball bearing 322 and thesleeve 328 from sliding along the rotation axis 324. The sleeve 328 alsodefines a slot 332 in alignment with the slot 316 of the housing 300.The shaft 318 has a shoulder 334 that abuts the bottom of the ballbearing 322. The portion of the shaft 318 below the shoulder 334 has anexternal thread thereon.

The shaft 320 is received in the sleeve 328 inside the housing 300 andprotrudes from a bottom of the housing 300. The shaft 320 has a bore 336defined in a top thereof. The bore 336 has an internal thread. The lowerthreaded portion of the shaft 318 is received in and engages the threadin the bore 336. Grease could be provided in the interface 338 betweenthe shafts 318, 320. An aperture 340 extends from an outer surface ofthe shaft 320 in order to permit water entering the bore 336 to bedrained therefrom. The aperture 340 opens in a front of the shaft 320such that water draining from the bore 336 then drains out of the sleeve328 and housing 300 via the slot 332.

A screw 342 is inserted through the slots 316, 332 and into acounterbored aperture 344 in the shaft 320. As can be seen in FIG. 15,the aperture 344 is perpendicular to the rotation axis 324 and isdisposed below the aperture 336. As explained above, turning the shaft318 causes the shaft 320 to move along the rotation axis 324. The screw342 abuts the sides of the slot 316 thereby preventing the shaft 320 torotate about the axis rotation with the shaft 318. The screw 342 alsoprevents the shaft 320 from moving too far down along the rotation axis324 by coming into contact with the bottom portion of the slot 316,thereby stopping the shaft 320 before the threads of the shafts 318, 320disengage from each other. The upward movement of the shaft 320 isstopped when the top end of the shaft 320 comes into contact with theshoulder 334 of the shaft 318 as shown if FIG. 15.

The screw 342 is also inserted through a cover 346 disposed outside thehousing 300 so as to cover the slot 316 in the housing to reduce theentry of snow and water into the housing 300 via the slot 316. Aclearance 348 (FIG. 14) is provided in the bottom center of the cover346 to permit water drainage from the interior of the housing 300through the slots 316, 332. An O-ring 350 is disposed between the headof the screw 342 and the cover 346 act as a spring pushing the cover 346against the housing 300 in order to prevent the entry of snow and water.The cover 346 moves along the outer surface of the housing 300 with theshaft 320 as the shaft 320 is moved along the rotation axis 324. Forthis reason, the cover 346 is also used as a position indicator. Thecover 346 is provided with triangular projections 352 that provide anindication of the position of the shaft 320, and therefore of the skirunner 106, along markings 354 formed on the outer front surface of thehousing 300. To ensure that the screw 342 is not screwed too far intothe aperture 344 of the shaft 320, which would squeeze the cover 346between the screw head of the screw 342 and the outer surface of thehousing 300, thereby hindering movement of the shaft 320, the screw 320has a shoulder that abut the bottom of the counterbore of the aperture344 once it has been sufficiently screwed in the aperture 344.

In order to turn the shaft 318, a knob 356 is mounted over the portionof the shaft 318 protruding from the top of the housing 300. The knob356 is fixed to the shaft 318 by a screw 358. To prevent the knob 356from turning relative to the shaft 318, the central portion of the knob356 disposed over the shaft 318 has a polygonal shape and the topportion of the shaft 318 has a corresponding polygonal shape.Alternatively, the central portion of the knob 356 and the top portionof the shaft 318 could be splined, keyed, or circular but forcorresponding flat surface for example. The knob 356 has a generallyoval cross-section (as viewed from above), with a number of teeth 360protruding from its sides to facilitate gripping of the knob 356 by theuser.

Although the shaft 320 can have an infinite number of positions withinits range of positions, in order to make it easier for the user to setthe same position on both the left and right ski assemblies 100, therunner adjustment assembly provides auditory and haptic feedbacks to theuser at a number of pre-set positions. To provide the auditory andhaptic feedbacks, the housing 300 has a pair of notches 362 along thetop edge thereof which are selectively engaged by a clicker 364. Theclicker 364 is an annulus disposed in the knob 356 that is biasedagainst the top edge of the housing 300 by a spring 366. The clicker 364has a pair of protrusions on the bottom thereof. When the knob 356 isturned, the protrusions on the bottom of the clicker 364 eventually fallinto the notches 362 thereby producing a clicking sound. The spring 366provides some resistance to turning the knob 356 to make the protrusionson the bottom of the clicker 364 come out of the notches 362 therebyprovide a haptic feedback that a pre-set position has been reached. Asthe notches 362 are provided on opposite sides of the housing 300, thepre-set positions correspond to every half turn of the knob 356. It iscontemplated that only one or more than two notches 362 could beprovided. It is also contemplated that only one or more than twoprotrusions could be provided on the bottom of the clicker 364. It isalso contemplated that the number of notches 362 and the number ofprotrusions provided on the bottom of the clicker 364 could differ. Itis contemplated that the clicker 364 and its associated component couldbe omitted and that the user could rely only the position indicator(i.e. cover 346) and markings 354 to determine the position of the shaft320, and therefor the ski runner 106. It is contemplated that theposition indicator (i.e. cover 346) and markings 354 could also beomitted. It is contemplated that other means could be provided todetermine the position of the ski runner 106 relative to the ski 102,such as, for example, level markings on the side of the ski runner 106.

To connect the shaft 320 to the ski runner 106, a pair of bent arms 368is connected to lower portion of the shaft 320. It is contemplated thatthe arms 368 and the shaft 368 could be integrally formed. Each arm hasan aperture 370. The ski runner 106 is inserted between the arms 368with the arcuate slot 218 aligned with the apertures 370 and a connectorin the form of a pin 372 (FIG. 9) is inserted into the apertures 370 ofthe arms 370 and the arcuate slot 218, thereby connecting the ski runner106 to the runner adjustment assembly 108. The pin 372 defines alaterally extending runner connection axis 374. As can be seen in FIG.9, the runner connection axis 374 is disposed vertically below the skipivot axis 112. The arms 368 and the pin 372 are received in the widerlongitudinal central portion 160 of the slot 114 of the ski body 140(FIG. 3). The sides of the wider longitudinal central portion 160 of theslot 114 limit the lateral movement of the pin 372. As can be seen bycomparing FIG. 9 to FIG. 13, when the ski 102 pivots about the ski pivotaxis 112 as shown in FIG. 12, the pin 372 moves inside the arcuate slot218 of the ski runner 106. It is contemplated that in an alternativeimplementation the arms 368 could be provided with arcuate slots andthat the ski runner 106 could have a circular aperture to receive thepin 372.

The pin 372 is the only connection between the ski runner 106 and anyother part of the ski assembly 100 such that the ski runner 106 is heldin place with respect to the ski 102 by the adjustment mechanism and theski leg 104. As such, forces applied to the ski runner 106 aretransferred to the adjustment mechanism 302 by the connection providedtherebetween by the pin 372, then from the adjustment mechanism 302 tothe housing 300 by the connection provided therebetween by the bearing322, and the from the housing 300 to the ski leg 104 by the connectionprovided therebetween by the bolt 110 and the axle 111. As can be seenin FIG. 9, the bolt 110 is disposed vertically between the pin 372 andthe bearing 322.

To adjust the position of the ski runner 106 relative to the ski 102 tochange the amount by which the ski runner 106 protrudes from the keel142, a user only needs to turn the knob 356. When the knob 356 isturned, the shaft 320 moves along the rotation axis 324, which in turncauses the pin 372, and therefore the runner connection axis 374, tomove in the same direction along an adjustment axis 376 (FIG. 9)parallel to the rotation axis 324. The displacement of the pin 372causes the ski runner 106 to move also. Since the walls 202, 204 abutthe walls 164, 168 of the ski body 140 defined by the slot 114, the skirunner 106 translates along a translation axis 378 (FIG. 9) that isparallel to these walls 202, 204, 164, 168. The ski runner 106 remainsrotationally fixed relative to the ski 102 as it translates inside theslot 114 along the translation axis 378. It is recognized that there maybe a small amount of rotation of the ski runner 106 relative to the ski102 due to the clearance between the ski runner 106 and the ski 102required to permit translation of the ski runner 106, but the ski runner106 is nonetheless considered to be rotationally fixed relative to theski 102 for purposes of the present application. As can be seen in FIG.9, when the snowmobile 10 is on flat, level ground, the translation axis378 is vertical and perpendicular to the ground engaging edge 206 of theski runner body 200. It is contemplated that the translation axis 378could not be perpendicular to the ground engaging edge 206 of the skirunner body 200. As can also be seen in FIG. 9, when the snowmobile 10is on flat, level ground, the ski leg pivot axis 134, the adjustmentaxis 376 and the rotation axis 324 are angled relative to thetranslation axis 378. It is contemplated that the runner adjustmentassembly 108 could be modified such that the adjustment axis 376 and therotation axis 324 are parallel to the translation axis 378.

Starting from the position of the ski runner 106 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,by turning the knob 356 in one direction, the runner adjustment assembly108 moves the pin 372 down along the adjustment axis 376 which causesthe ski runner 106 to translate down along the translation axis 378 to aposition, such as the one shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, where the distancebetween the bottom of the ski runner 106 and the bottom of the ski 102is greater than in the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. It should beunderstood that the ski runner 106 could be positioned at positionsintermediate the ones shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10 and 11. Theski runner 106 can also be adjusted so as to be in a position where itextends further from the keel 142 than in the position shown in FIGS. 10and 11. By turning the knob 356 in the opposite direction, the runneradjustment assembly 108 moves the pin 372 up along the adjustment axis376 which causes the ski runner 106 to translate up along thetranslation axis 378 up to the uppermost position of the ski runner 106shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Turning now to FIGS. 17 and 18, an alternative implementation of thesnowmobile ski assembly 100 will be described. FIGS. 17 and 18illustrate a snowmobile ski assembly 400. For simplicity, elements ofthe ski assembly 400 that are similar to those of the ski assembly 100described above have been numbered with the same reference numerals andwill not be described again.

The ski assembly 400 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is a left ski assembly400. The left ski assembly 400 includes a left ski 402, a left ski leg104, a left ski runner 106 and a left runner adjustment assembly 404. Inthe right ski assembly 400, the right ski 402, the right ski runner 106and the right runner adjustment assembly 404 are identical to those ofthe left ski assembly 400 and the right ski leg 104 is a mirror image ofthe left ski leg 104. Accordingly, for simplicity, only the left skiassembly 400 will be described in detail herein. It is contemplated thatboth ski legs 104 could be identical, or that the ski legs 104 couldhave features that differ from each other. It is contemplated that oneor more of the right ski 402, the right ski runner 106 and the rightrunner adjustment assembly 404 could be a mirror image of those of theleft ski assembly 400 or could have one or more features that differfrom those of the left ski assembly 400. It is contemplated that in someimplementation of the ski assembly 400, such as in a replacement skiassembly for replacing an existing ski of a snowmobile 10, the ski leg104 could be omitted as a suitable ski leg 104 may already be providedon the snowmobile 10.

In the ski assembly 400, the ski leg 104 and the ski runner 106 are thesame as those of the ski assembly 100 described above. The ski 402 isthe same as the ski 102 described above except for two apertures in eachlongitudinally extending wall 146 that are used to fasten the runneradjustment assembly 404 to the ski 402. The runner adjustment assembly404 differs from the runner adjustment assembly 108 as will be describedbelow.

The ski leg 104 is connected to the ski 402 in the same manner as theski leg 104 is connected to the ski 102 in the ski assembly 100described above. The runner adjustment assembly 404 has a housing 406disposed between the walls 146. Two fasteners 408 are inserted throughthe apertures in the walls 146 of the ski 402 and through apertures inthe housing 406 to fasten the runner adjustment assembly 404 to the ski402. As such, the runner adjustment assembly 404 is fixed to the ski 402and the runner adjustment assembly 404 pivots about the ski pivot axis112 as the ski 402 pivots about the ski pivot axis 112.

The runner adjustment assembly 404 is connected to the ski runner 106 bya pin (not shown, but similar to pin 372) passing through the arms 368of the runner adjustment assembly 404 and the arcuate slot 218 of theski runner 106. The runner adjustment assembly 404 has an adjustmentmechanism (not shown) disposed in part in the housing 406. Theadjustment mechanism of the runner adjustment assembly 404 is similar tothe adjustment mechanism 302 of the runner adjustment assembly 108. Asin the runner adjustment assembly 108, to cause the lower shaft (notshown, but similar to the shaft 320 described above) of the runneradjustment assembly 404 to move along a rotation axis 324 (FIG. 18), aknob 356 of the runner adjustment assembly 404 is turned. As in therunner adjustment assembly 108, movement of the lower shaft of therunner adjustment assembly 404 causes the pin connecting the runneradjustment assembly 404 to the ski runner 106 along an adjustment axis376 parallel to the rotation axis 324, which causes the ski runner 106to translate along a translation axis 378 (see FIG. 18). As can be seenin FIG. 18, when the snowmobile 10 is on flat, level ground, thetranslation axis 378 is vertical and the ski leg pivot axis 134, theadjustment axis 376 and the rotation axis 324 are angled relative to thetranslation axis 378. It is contemplated that the runner adjustmentassembly 404 could be modified such that the adjustment axis 376 and therotation axis 324 are parallel to the translation axis 378, in whichcase the arcuate slot 218 could be replaced by a circular aperture.Vertical forces applied upward to the ski runner 106 are transferred tothe runner adjustment assembly 404 and not to the ski 102.

Turning now to FIG. 19, another alternative implementation of thesnowmobile ski assembly 100 will be described. FIG. 19 illustrates asnowmobile ski assembly 500. For simplicity, elements of the skiassembly 500 that are similar to those of the ski assembly 100 describedabove have been numbered with the same reference numerals and will notbe described again.

The ski assembly 500 shown in FIG. 19 is a left ski assembly 500. Theleft ski assembly 500 includes a left ski 102, a left ski leg 502, aleft ski runner 106 and a left runner adjustment assembly 504. In theright ski assembly 500, the right ski 102, the right ski runner 106 andthe right runner adjustment assembly 504 are identical to those of theleft ski assembly 500 and the right ski leg 502 is a mirror image of theleft ski leg 502. Accordingly, for simplicity, only the left skiassembly 500 will be described in detail herein. It is contemplated thatboth ski legs 502 could be identical, or that the ski legs 502 couldhave features that differ from each other. It is contemplated that oneor more of the right ski 102, the right ski runner 106 and the rightrunner adjustment assembly 504 could be a mirror image of those of theleft ski assembly 500 or could have one or more features that differfrom those of the left ski assembly 500. It is contemplated that in someimplementation of the ski assembly 500, such as in a replacement skiassembly for replacing an existing ski of a snowmobile 10, the ski leg502 could be omitted as a suitable ski leg 502 may already be providedon the snowmobile 10.

In the ski assembly 500, the ski 102 and the ski runner 106 are the sameas those of the ski assembly 100 described above. The ski leg 502 is thesame as the ski leg 102 described above except for a front tab 506disposed vertically between the tab 118 and the ski pivot axis 112. Thetab 506 is used to fasten the runner adjustment assembly 504 to the skileg 502. The ski leg 502 is connected to the ski 102 in the same manneras the ski leg 104 is connected to the ski 102 in the ski assembly 100described above.

The runner adjustment assembly 504 is the same as the runner adjustmentassembly 108 described above except that the housing 300 has beenreplaced with a housing 508. In the housing 508, the two tabs 304 of thehousing 300 have been replaced with two tabs 510. The tabs 510 aredisposed on either side of the front tab 506 of the ski leg 502. Afastener 512 is inserted laterally through apertures in the tabs 510 andthe tab 506 to fasten the housing 508, and therefore the runneradjustment assembly 504, to the ski leg 502. As such, the runneradjustment assembly 504 is fixed to the ski leg 502 and the ski 102pivots about the ski pivot axis 112 relative to the runner adjustmentassembly 504. As can be seen in FIG. 19, when the snowmobile 10 is onflat, level ground, the translation axis 378 is vertical and the ski legpivot axis 134, the adjustment axis 376 and the rotation axis 324 areangled relative to the translation axis 378. It is contemplated that therunner adjustment assembly 504 could be modified such that theadjustment axis 376 and the rotation axis 324 are parallel to thetranslation axis 378.

The runner adjustment assembly 504 is connected to the ski runner 106 bya pin 372 passing through the arms 368 of the runner adjustment assembly504 and the arcuate slot 218 of the ski runner 106 as in the runneradjustment assembly 108. The runner adjustment assembly 504 has the sameadjustment mechanism 302 as the runner adjustment assembly 108.Therefore, the position of the ski runner 106 is adjusted by turning theknob 356 as in the ski assembly 100. Vertical forces applied upward tothe ski runner 106 are transferred to the runner adjustment assembly 504and not to the ski 102.

Turning now to FIG. 20, an alternative implementation of the ski runner106 will be described. FIG. 20 illustrates a ski runner 600. Forsimplicity, elements of the ski runner 600 that are similar to those ofthe ski runner 106 described above have been numbered with the samereference numerals and will not be described again.

In the ski runner 600, the ski runner body 200 defining the apertures216 and the pin 222 of the ski runner 106 have been replaced with a skirunner body 602 defining apertures 604, 606 and pins 608, 610. The pins608, 610 are inserted through the apertures 604, 606 respectively. Theaperture 604 and the pin 608 are disposed near the rear wall 202 of skirunner body 602. The aperture 606 and the pin 610 are disposed near thefront wall 204 of ski runner body 602. As can be seen, the aperture 606and the pin 610 are lower than the aperture 604 and the pin 608.

The pins 608, 610 have two functions: they help prevent the ski runner600 from being inserted backwards when assembly the ski assembly andthey also limit the amount by which the ski runner 600 can be lowered.The ski runner 600 is intended for use on a ski having walls (similar tothe walls 158 described above) extending longitudinally forward from thewall 152 in an alternative implementation of the ski 102. It iscontemplated that the runner 600 could be used with the ski 102 byhaving the aperture 606 and the pin 610 higher on the ski runner body602 and the aperture 604 and the pin 608 lower on the ski runner body602.

Should the ski runner 600 be inserted backwards in the slot 114 (i.e.with the rear wall 202 at the front and the front wall 204 at the rear),when the ski runner 600 is lowered in the slot 114, the pin 610 makescontact with the walls extending longitudinally forward of wall 156,thereby preventing the ski runner 600 from being sufficiently lowered inthe slot 114 for proper installation.

During adjustment of the ski runner 600, lowering the ski runner 600relative to the ski will eventually cause the pin 608 to abut the top ofthe walls extending longitudinally forward of the wall 156 and the pin610 to abut the top of the surfaces disposed adjacent the slot 114 inthe ski (i.e. surfaces similar to surfaces 612 in FIG. 4). As a result,the ski runner 600 cannot be extended any lower.

Turning now to FIG. 21, another alternative implementation of thesnowmobile ski assembly 100 will be described. FIG. 21 illustrates asnowmobile ski assembly 700. For simplicity, elements of the skiassembly 700 that are similar to those of the ski assembly 100 describedabove have been numbered with the same reference numerals and will notbe described again.

The ski assembly 700 shown in FIG. 21 is a left ski assembly 700. Theleft ski assembly 700 includes a left ski 702, a left ski leg 104, aleft ski runner 600 and a left runner adjustment assembly 108. In theright ski assembly 700, the right ski 702, the right ski runner 600 andthe right runner adjustment assembly 108 are identical to those of theleft ski assembly 700 and the right ski leg 104 is a mirror image of theleft ski leg 104. Accordingly, for simplicity, only the left skiassembly 700 will be described in detail herein. It is contemplated thatboth ski legs 104 could be identical, or that the ski legs 104 couldhave features that differ from each other. It is contemplated that oneor more of the right ski 702, the right ski runner 600 and the rightrunner adjustment assembly 108 could be a mirror image of those of theleft ski assembly 700 or could have one or more features that differfrom those of the left ski assembly 700. It is contemplated that in someimplementation of the ski assembly 700, such as in a replacement skiassembly for replacing an existing ski of a snowmobile 10, the ski leg104 could be omitted as a suitable ski leg 104 may already be providedon the snowmobile 10.

In the ski assembly 700, the ski leg 104 and the runner adjustmentassembly 108 are the same as those of the ski assembly 100 describedabove. The ski runner 600 is the ski runner 600 described above withrespect to FIG. 20. The ski leg 104 is connected to the ski 702 in thesame manner as the ski leg 104 is connected to the ski 102 in the skiassembly 100 described above. The runner adjustment assembly 108 isconnected to the ski leg 104 in the same manner as in the ski assembly100 described above. The runner adjustment assembly 108 is connected tothe ski runner 600 in the same manner as the runner adjustment assembly108 is connected to the ski runner 600 in the same manner as the runneradjustment assembly 108 is connected to the ski runner 106 in the skiassembly 100 described above.

In the ski 702, the slot 114 of the ski 102 has been replaced by a slot704. The slot 704 is defined in the keel 142 and the ski body 140, opensat a bottom of the keel 142 but is partially closed by a wall 706 at atop thereof. As can be seen, the ski runner 600 is received in the slot704. In order to permit the connection between the runner adjustmentassembly 108 and the ski runner 600, the wall defines an aperture 708through which the arms 368 of the runner adjustment assembly 108 extend.As can also be seen in FIG. 21, the wall 706 limits the amount by whichthe ski runner 600 can be raised relative to the ski 702 by abutting thetop of the ski runner 600 when the ski runner 600 reaches the positionshown in FIG. 21 as it is being raised. Also, in order to accommodatethe ski runner 600, the walls 158 of the ski 108 are omitted in the ski702, and walls (not shown) extending longitudinally forward from thewall 152 are provided in the ski 702. Vertical forces applied upward tothe ski runner 600 are transferred to the runner adjustment assembly 108and not to the ski 702 unless the ski runner 600 abuts the wall 706.

Turning now to FIGS. 22 to 24, an alternative implementation of a leftski leg 904, a left ski runner 906 and a left runner adjustment assembly908 to be provided on a left ski (not shown) of an alternativeimplementation of a left ski assembly will be described. A correspondingright ski assembly is a mirror image of this left ski assembly.Accordingly, for simplicity, only the left ski assembly will bedescribed in detail herein. It is contemplated that both left and rightski assemblies could be identical, or that the ski assemblies could havefeatures that differ from each other. The ski of the present alternativeimplementation of the ski assembly is similar to the ski 102, but hassome differences that will be described below.

The ski leg 904 is pivotally connected to the ski by a bolt 910. It iscontemplated that another type of fastener such as a rivet could be usedfor example. The bolt 910 defines a laterally extending ski pivot axis912 about which the ski pivots relative to the ski leg 904. The runneradjustment assembly 908 is housed in part in the ski leg 904 and istherefore connected to the bolt 910 by the ski leg 904. As such, the skialso pivots about the ski pivot axis 912 relative to the runneradjustment assembly 908. As in the previous implementations, the skirunner 906 is inserted in a slot defined in the ski. The runneradjustment assembly 908 is connected to the ski runner 906. The runneradjustment assembly 908 is used to translate the ski runner 906 insidethe slot of the ski to change an amount by which the ski runner 906extends below the ski, as will be described in greater detail below. Bychanging the amount by which the ski runner 906 extends below the ski,the corresponding ski assembly can be adjusted for different ridingconditions. The ski runner 906 is connected to the ski leg 904 via therunner adjustment assembly 908. As such, the ski only bears a verticalload when its bottom surface is in contact with a surface on which thesnowmobile 10 rides.

The ski leg 904 has a central portion 914, an upper front tab 916, alower front tab 918, a lower rear tab 920 and an upper rear tab 922. Aball joint 924 (partially shown) is inserted through the upper front tab916 to connect the ski leg 904 to the end of the upper A-arm 50. A balljoint 926 (partially shown) is inserted through the lower front tab 918to connect the ski leg 904 to the end of the lower A-arm 52. A balljoint 928 (partially shown) is inserted through the lower rear tab 920to connect the ski leg 904 to the end of the steering rod 60. When thedriver of the snowmobile 10 turns the handlebar 58, the steering rod 60pushes or pulls, as the case may be, on the lower rear tab 920. As aresult, the ski leg 904 pivots about a ski leg pivot axis 930 (FIG. 23)passing through the centers of the ball joints 924, 926. As best seen inFIG. 23, the runner adjustment assembly 908 passes through an aperture932 defined in the upper rear tab 914 and an aperture 934 defined in thecentral portion 914 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Theapertures 932, 934 are coaxial. The ski leg 904 also has two arms 936extending downward from the central portion 914. The arms 936 aredisposed on either side of the lower part of the runner adjustmentassembly 908 and of the runner 906. The bolt 910 extends through thearms 936. Each arm 936 has a protrusion 938. The protrusions 938selectively abut a stopper (not shown) on the ski to limit the rotationof the ski relative to the ski leg 904 about the axis 912. The centralportion 914 defines two windows 940 (FIG. 24, one on each side, only onebeing shown) that communicate with the aperture 934, the function ofwhich will be described below.

The ski runner 906 will now be described in more detail. The ski runner906 has a ski runner body 942 cut, by stamping for example, from a metalplate. As a result, the ski runner body 942 is flat and has a uniformwidth. It should be understood that the surface of the ski runner body942 could be engraved or embossed, to write the manufacturer's name forexample, in which case the surface would nonetheless be considerer ashaving a generally uniform width. It is contemplated that the ski runnerbody 942 could be made from other materials and by other manufacturingtechniques. For example, the ski runner body 942 could be machined,laser cut or cast.

The ski runner body 942 has a rear flat wall 944 and a front flat wall946. The flat walls 944, 946 are parallel to each other. The walls 944,946 are received in grooves defined by inserts 948, 950 respectively.The insert 948 is disposed between the rear flat wall 944 and the rearwall of the slot in which the ski runner 906 is inserted (i.e. a wallsimilar to the rear wall 164 of the slot 114 of the ski 102). The insert950 is disposed between the front flat wall 946 and the front wall ofthe slot in which the ski runner 906 is inserted (i.e. a wall similar tothe front wall 168 of the slot 114 of the ski 102). It is contemplatedthat the inserts 948, 950 could be omitted, in which case the flat walls944, 946 would abut the rear and front walls of the slot in the ski. Itis also contemplated that inserts similar to the inserts 948, 950 couldbe provided in the other implementations of ski assemblies describedabove. When the ski runner 906 is translated in the slot of the ski, thewall 944 of the ski runner body 942 translates along the insert 948 andthe wall 946 of the ski runner body 942 translates along the insert 950.

The ski runner body 942 has a lower edge referred to herein as theground engaging edge 952. The ground engaging edge 952 is straight. Itis contemplated that the ground engaging edge 952 could not be straight.For example, the ground engaging edge 206 could be convex. As can beseen, the flat walls 944, 946 are disposed at an acute angle 954 (FIG.23) relative to the ground engaging edge 952 that is less than 90degrees but greater than 45 degrees. In one implementation, the angle954 is between 60 and 90 degrees. It is also contemplated that the angle954 could be between 60 and 120 degrees. Other angles are alsocontemplated. Accordingly, the inserts 948, 950 and the front and rearwalls of the slot of the ski also extend at the same angle 954 relativeto the ground engaging edge 952. It is contemplated the front and rearwalls of the slot of the ski could be perpendicular to the groundengaging edge 952 and that the inserts 948, 950 could be modified toabut the perpendicular rear and front walls of the slot of the ski andthe angled rear and front flat walls 944, 946 of the ski runner body942. It is also contemplated that the walls 944, 946 could beperpendicular to the ground engaging edge 952. The ground engaging edge952 forms a channel inside which are received wearbars 956. The wearbars956 are brazed to the ski runner body 942. It is contemplated that thewearbars 956 could be connected to the ski runner body 942 by othermeans. It is also contemplated that the wearbars 956 could be omitted.As would be understood, when the ski assembly operates on a hard surfacesuch as asphalt when the snowmobile 10 has to cross a paved road,because of the wearbars 956, the ground engaging edge 952 does notactually engage the ground, but it is nonetheless referred to as aground engaging edge for purposes of the present application.

A front angled edge 958 connects the front end of the ground engagingedge 952 to the bottom of the front flat wall 946. The front angled edge958 also forms a channel inside which wearbars 956 are brazed. A rearangled edge 960 connects the rear end of the ground engaging edge 952 tothe bottom of the rear wall 944.

The ski runner body 942 has two apertures 962 defined therein. These areused to hold the ski runner body 942 in place during the manufacturingprocess. It is contemplated that the apertures 962 could receive pins tolimit the amount by which the ski runner 906 can be lowered in the slotof the ski. It is contemplated that the apertures 962 could be omitted.The ski runner body 942 also defines an arcuate slot 964 (FIG. 23) in acentral portion thereof.

The runner adjustment assembly 908 will now be described in more detail.The ski leg 904 acts as a housing inside which an adjustment mechanism966 (FIG. 23) of the runner adjustment assembly 908 is housed in part.As will be explained in greater detail below, actuation of theadjustment mechanism 966 causes the ski runner 906 to be moved up ordown inside the slot of the ski.

With reference to FIG. 23, the adjustment mechanism 966 has a shaft 968having internal threads, a shaft 970 having external threads and a shaft972. The threaded portion of the shaft 970 is received in the threadedportion of the shaft 968. It is contemplated that the shaft 970 couldhave the internal thread and that the shaft 968 could have the externalthread. An end of the shaft 972 is received in a recess in the shaft 970and engages the shaft 970 such that the shafts 970 and 972 arerotationally fixed relative to each other (i.e. they turn together). Inone implementation, at least the end of the shaft 972 and the recess inthe shaft 970 are hexagonal, but other polygonal shapes are alsocontemplated. In another implementation, the end of the shaft 972 andthe recess in the shaft 970 each have at least one corresponding flatside. In other implementations, the shafts 970, 972 engage via a key orsplines or by press-fitting. It is also contemplated that the shafts970, 972 could be bonded, welded or integrally formed. It iscontemplated that the shafts 970, 972 could be connected by other means.As the shafts 970 and 972 rotate, the shaft 968 slides in and out of theski leg 904. Other types of adjustment mechanisms are contemplated.

The shaft 970 and a lower portion of the shaft 972 are received in theaperture 934 defined in the central portion 914 of the ski leg 904 andthe top portion of the shaft 972 protrudes from the central portion 914of the ski leg 904. The top portion of the shaft 972 protrudes throughthe aperture 932 in the upper rear tab 922.

In order to turn the shafts 970 and 972, a knob 974 is mounted over thetop portion of the shaft 972. As can be seen in FIG. 23, the knob 974sits on top of the upper rear tab 922 and has a portion disposed betweenthe shaft 972 and the contour of the aperture 932. The knob 974 is fixedto the shaft 972 by a screw (not shown). It is contemplated that theknob 974 could be fixed to the shaft 972 by other means. By turning theknob 974, the shafts 970, 972 can rotate about a rotation axis 976.However, the shafts 970, 972 do not slide along the rotation axis 976.The knob 974 prevents the shafts 970, 972 from sliding down along theaxis 976 by abutting the top of the upper rear tab 922. The top of theshaft 970 prevents the shafts 970, 972 from sliding up along the axis976 by abutting a step 978 (FIG. 23) defined by the aperture 934 in thecentral portion 914 of the ski leg 904.

The shaft 968 is received in aperture 934 inside the central portion 914of the ski leg 904 and protrudes from a bottom of the central portion914. Pins 980 (only one shown in FIG. 24) are inserted through thewindows 940 defined in the central portion 914 of the ski leg 904 andinto the shaft 968. As explained above, turning the shafts 970, 972cause the shaft 968 to move along the rotation axis 976. The pins 980abut the sides of the windows 940, thereby preventing the shaft 968 torotate about the axis rotation 976 with the shafts 970, 972. The pins980 also prevents the shaft 968 from moving too far down along therotation axis 976 by coming into contact with the bottom portions of thewindows 940, thereby stopping the shaft 968 before the threads of theshafts 968, 970 disengage from each other. The upward movement of theshaft 968 is stopped when the pins 980 come into contact with the topportions of the windows 940.

To connect the shaft 968 to the ski runner 906, a pair of bent arms 982is connected to the lower portion of the shaft 968. Each arm has anaperture 984. The ski runner 906 is inserted between the arms 982 withthe arcuate slot 964 aligned with the apertures 984. Each arm 982 isdisposed in part between the ski runner 906 and a corresponding arm 936of the ski leg 904. A connector in the form of a pin 986 is insertedinto the apertures 984 of the arms 982 and the arcuate slot 964, therebyconnecting the ski runner 906 to the runner adjustment assembly 908. Thepin 986 defines a laterally extending runner connection axis 988. As canbe seen, the runner connection axis 988 is disposed vertically below theski pivot axis 912. It is contemplated that in an alternativeimplementation, the arms 982 could be provided with arcuate slots andthat the ski runner 906 could have a circular aperture to receive thepin 986.

The pin 986 is the only connection between the ski runner 906 and anyother part of the ski assembly. As such, forces applied to the skirunner 906 are transferred to the adjustment mechanism 966 by theconnection provided therebetween by the pin 986, then from theadjustment mechanism 966 to the ski leg 904.

To adjust the position of the ski runner 906 relative to the ski tochange the amount by which the ski runner 906 protrudes from the keel ofthe ski, a user only needs to turn the knob 974. When the knob 974 isturned, the shaft 968 moves along the rotation axis 976, which in turncauses the pin 986, and therefore the runner connection axis 988, tomove in the same direction along an adjustment axis 990 (FIG. 24)parallel to the rotation axis 976. The displacement of the pin 986causes the ski runner 906 to translate along a translation axis 992(FIG. 24) that is parallel to the walls 944, 946. As the adjustment axis990 is not parallel to the translation axis 992, the pin 986 moves alongthe arcuate slot 964 as the ski runner 906 translates along thetranslation axis 992. The ski runner 906 remains rotationally fixedrelative to the ski as it translates inside the slot along thetranslation axis 992.

Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations ofthe present may become apparent to those skilled in the art. Forexample, the each ski assembly could be provided with more than one skirunner connected to the runner adjustment assembly. The foregoingdescription is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scopeof the present is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A snowmobile ski assembly comprising: a skidefining a slot; a ski runner disposed in the slot, the ski runner beingtranslatable in the slot relative to the ski, the ski runner beingtranslatable between a first position and a second position, a bottom ofthe ski runner being closer to a bottom of the ski in the first positionthan in the second position; and a runner adjustment assembly connectedto the ski runner, the runner adjustment assembly selectivelytranslating the ski runner between the first and second positions. 2.The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 1, wherein the ski runner is heldin place relative to the ski by the runner adjustment assembly.
 3. Thesnowmobile ski assembly of claim 1, wherein the ski runner remainsrotationally fixed relative to the ski as the ski runner translatesbetween the first and second position.
 4. The snowmobile ski assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the ski pivots about a laterally extending ski pivotaxis; and wherein the runner adjustment assembly is connected about theski pivot axis, the ski being pivotable about the ski pivot axisrelative to the runner adjustment assembly.
 5. The snowmobile skiassembly of claim 4, further comprising a ski leg connected about theski pivot axis, the ski being pivotable about the ski pivot axisrelative to the ski leg.
 6. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 5,wherein the ski runner translates along a translation axis between thefirst and second positions; wherein the ski leg is pivotable about a skileg pivot axis for steering the snowmobile ski assembly; and wherein theski leg pivot axis is angled relative to the translation axis when asnowmobile provided with the snowmobile ski assembly is disposed onflat, level ground.
 7. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 4, whereinthe runner adjustment assembly has a connector connected to the skirunner and defining a laterally extending runner connection axis;wherein the runner connection axis is disposed vertically below the skipivot axis.
 8. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 7, wherein the skirunner translates along a translation axis between the first and secondpositions; wherein the runner adjustment assembly moves the runnerconnection axis along an adjustment axis as the runner adjustmentassembly translates the ski runner between the first and secondpositions; and wherein the adjustment axis is angled relative to thetranslation axis when a snowmobile provided with the snowmobile skiassembly is disposed on flat, level ground.
 9. The snowmobile skiassembly of claim 4, wherein the ski runner defines an arcuate slot;wherein the runner adjustment assembly has a connector extending throughthe slot, the connector being movable inside the slot as the ski pivotsabout the ski pivot axis.
 10. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 1,further comprising a ski leg pivotally connected to the ski about alaterally extending ski pivot axis, the ski being pivotable about theski pivot axis relative to the ski leg; and wherein the runneradjustment assembly is connected to the ski leg.
 11. The snowmobile skiassembly of claim 10, wherein the ski runner defines an arcuate slot;wherein the runner adjustment assembly has a connector extending throughthe slot, the connector being movable inside the slot as the ski pivotsabout the ski pivot axis.
 12. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 1,wherein the ski has a front wall at a front of the slot and a rear wallat a rear of the slot; wherein the ski runner has a front wall abuttingthe front wall of the ski and a rear wall abutting the rear wall of theski; wherein the ski runner translates along a translation axis betweenthe first and second positions; and wherein the front and rear walls ofthe ski, and the front and rear walls of the ski runner are parallel tothe translation axis.
 13. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 1,wherein the runner adjustment assembly has: an adjustment mechanismconnected to the ski runner at a first connection, and a housingconnected to the ski leg at a second connection, the housing beingconnected to the adjustment mechanism at a third connection, and thehousing receiving the adjustment mechanism at least in part therein; andwherein the second connection is disposed vertically above the firstconnection and vertically below the third connection.
 14. The snowmobileski assembly of claim 1, wherein the runner adjustment assembly has: ahousing; a first part disposed at least in part in the housing, thefirst part being rotatable relative to the housing about a rotationaxis, the first part being fixed along the rotation axis; and a secondpart disposed at least in part in the housing, the second part engagingthe first part, the second part being rotationally fixed relative to thehousing, the second part being movable along the rotation axis, thesecond part being connected to the ski runner, one of the first andsecond parts having an external thread, an other one of the first andsecond parts having an internal thread engaging the external thread ofthe one of the first and second parts, wherein rotation of the firstpart about the rotation axis causing the second part to move along therotation axis, thereby causing the ski runner to translate between thefirst and second positions.
 15. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 14,wherein the runner adjustment assembly has: a pair of arms connected tothe second part, the ski runner being received between the arms; and apin passing through the arms and the ski runner.
 16. The snowmobile skiassembly of claim 14, wherein the runner adjustment assembly has a knobconnected to the first part for turning the first part about therotation axis.
 17. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 14, wherein therunner adjustment assembly has a position indicator disposed externallyof the housing, the position indicator being connected to the secondpart, the position indicator being movable with the second part.
 18. Thesnowmobile ski assembly of claim 1, wherein the runner adjustmentassembly is connected to the ski runner at a single location.
 19. Thesnowmobile ski assembly of claim 1, wherein translation of the skirunner occurs as a result of an actuation of a single component of therunner adjustment assembly.
 20. The snowmobile ski assembly of claim 19,wherein the single component is a knob and translation of the ski runneroccurs as a result of a turning of the knob.
 21. The snowmobile skiassembly of claim 1, wherein the slot extends through the ski.
 22. Thesnowmobile ski assembly of claim 1, wherein the runner adjustmentassembly has a pin connecting the runner adjustment assembly to the skirunner, the pin being disposed in the slot defined by the ski.
 23. Thesnowmobile ski assembly of claim 1, further comprising a ski legpivotally connected to the ski about a laterally extending ski pivotaxis, the ski being pivotable about the ski pivot axis relative to theski leg; and wherein the runner adjustment assembly extends at leastpartially through the ski leg.